Tiny scratches in the blueing

Sid · March 8, 2016, 05:24 PM

What is the best and easiest way to touch up really tiny scratches? The scratch is on the head of a screw on an adjustable rear sight on a pistol. I know it sounds trivial, but it is noticeable and it bothers me. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

RickB · March 8, 2016, 05:34 PM

Cold blue will color the scratch, but if the surrounding metal has a matte finish, the scratch will only become a bright blue scratch that still "sticks out" compared to the surrounding metal.
The alternative would be removing the screw and refinishing the entire head to remove the scratch.
To fill the scratch, you might be better-off trying matte black paint.

JimPage · March 8, 2016, 05:50 PM

I would get a new screw.

Kreyzhorse · March 8, 2016, 08:47 PM

Yep.... get a new screw, otherwise any fix will be likely more obvious than before you fixed it.

Ibmikey · March 9, 2016, 06:01 AM

Take the pistol out and shoot it, common wear will produce other flaws as the parts mate and rub together -- then the screw will not bother you so much. Also changing a screw on most adjustable sights is not an easy task. Firearms are fun to shoot, leaving them in a safe so they willl not get a scratch is depriving ones-self of that fun.

cptjack · March 9, 2016, 08:14 AM

black sharpie

Skans · March 9, 2016, 01:55 PM

Ditto the Sharpie for this kind of thing.

I've had great results with cold blue (paste), but it is a bit more difficult than it needs to be.

CajunBass · March 9, 2016, 02:33 PM

Quote:

black sharpie

Or even better, a cold blue sharpie. They work great for small spots.

But personally I'd just live with it. It'll just get scratched again.

UZO · March 9, 2016, 02:56 PM

For minor scratches...

Birchwood Casey Presto Gun Blue Touch-Up Pen ($6)

Sid · March 9, 2016, 08:01 PM

I want to thank you guys for all of your help.

March 8, 2016, 05:24 PM	#1
Sid Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2009 Posts: 362	Tiny scratches in the blueing What is the best and easiest way to touch up really tiny scratches? The scratch is on the head of a screw on an adjustable rear sight on a pistol. I know it sounds trivial, but it is noticeable and it bothers me. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

March 8, 2016, 05:34 PM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Cold blue will color the scratch, but if the surrounding metal has a matte finish, the scratch will only become a bright blue scratch that still "sticks out" compared to the surrounding metal. The alternative would be removing the screw and refinishing the entire head to remove the scratch. To fill the scratch, you might be better-off trying matte black paint. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

March 8, 2016, 05:50 PM	#3
JimPage Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2010 Location: Rome, NY Posts: 941	I would get a new screw. __________________ Jim Page Cogito, ergo armatum sum

March 8, 2016, 08:47 PM	#4
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Yep.... get a new screw, otherwise any fix will be likely more obvious than before you fixed it. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

March 9, 2016, 02:56 PM	#9
UZO Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 132	For minor scratches... Birchwood Casey Presto Gun Blue Touch-Up Pen ($6) __________________ A bunch of SIGs, CZs, BHPs, COLTs, DWs and a couple other...

March 9, 2016, 06:01 AM	#5
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Take the pistol out and shoot it, common wear will produce other flaws as the parts mate and rub together -- then the screw will not bother you so much. Also changing a screw on most adjustable sights is not an easy task. Firearms are fun to shoot, leaving them in a safe so they willl not get a scratch is depriving ones-self of that fun.

March 9, 2016, 08:14 AM	#6
cptjack Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2014 Posts: 314	black sharpie

March 9, 2016, 01:55 PM	#7
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Ditto the Sharpie for this kind of thing. I've had great results with cold blue (paste), but it is a bit more difficult than it needs to be.

March 9, 2016, 08:01 PM	#10
Sid Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2009 Posts: 362	I want to thank you guys for all of your help.